TEDCO chatted to new business owner Jade Richardson-Gage on the eve of launching Engaged Bridal Studio, an “off-the-peg” wedding dress shop with a valuable point of difference for the people of South Tyneside. We also asked Jade about the support she had received through the Start Up South Tyneside programme in helping her start her first business.
Finding a great value and affordable wedding dress shouldn’t mean sacrificing the magic of that once-in-a-lifetime, boutique bridal shopping experience. That’s the message from the owner of the newly opened Engaged Bridal Studio based in South Shields.
As the only bridal shop in South Tyneside specialising in ex-sample, discontinued and “off-the-peg” wedding dresses and accessories, Engaged Bridal Studio aims to find the sweet spot between more expensive bridal studios and the bargain or pre-loved options that often lack the personalised, attentive service. Jade says,
“Every bride deserves to be treated to that one-to-one appointment where they can invite their friends and family to see them try on a selection of beautiful dresses. But in a cost of living crisis, that’s not always attainable for brides-to-be.
“At Engaged Bridal Studio we offer a broad range of wedding dress styles and that premium experience without the high price tag. Because we specialise in dresses that are discontinued, end of line or ex-sample dresses, we’re able to help customers choose from a range of stunning dresses that are within their budget.
“The only real difference is that our customers will be able to take their dress away the same day, rather than having to wait weeks for a dress to arrive.”
In setting up her business, Jade received the help of TEDCO Business Support through the Start Up South Tyneside programme. The programme includes a range of online workshops and courses, digital resources and document templates specifically designed for start-up businesses. The programme also provided Jade with one-to-one support from TEDCO Business Advisor, Mark Johnston, whom she says has been invaluable in getting her prepared for launch:
“Mark’s been fantastic since I started working with him in May. From shaping my business plan to creating cashflow forecasts and helping with those little hints and tips that business owners only usually learn over time, he’s been great.
“It’s also really important to just have that person on the end of the phone who is encouraging and believes in you. His belief in what I was doing just served to give me the confidence I needed when I was questioning myself.”
Mark Johnston, TEDCO Business Advisor, comments,
“Jade has found a valuable niche in the bridal market, providing a service that I can see will be valued by so many people in South Tyneside and beyond. It’s been a pleasure to work with Jade as she prepared for launch and made the transition from a career in teaching to one of being a business owner.”
To find out more about Start Up South Tyneside, click here.
Looking to start your own business? TEDCO Business Support is here to help. Give us a call on 0191 516 61 02 or drop us an email at hello@tedco.org.